More than 2,500 athletes from across the country are expected to converge upon the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex from July 3-8, 2007 to compete in the 2007 USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships.
“We are thrilled that USATF selected us to host this event,” said William J. Carroll, President of Benedictine University. “Our community is anxious to welcome these fine athletes, their parents and coaches, and USATF officials to Benedictine University. We look forward to extending every courtesy possible to the national youth track and field community.”
Last year’s national outdoor competition was held in Greensboro, North Carolina and attracted more than 2,000 athletes. The event is a national competition with entry based upon qualifying standards. In addition to featuring talented individuals, the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships also attracts some of the country’s top youth track clubs.
“We are expecting a larger turnout than last year, not only because the event is being held in the Midwest for the first time since 2000, but because this event also serves as a qualifier for the junior national team that will be competing at the world youth championships in the Czech Republic later in July,” said USATF spokesman Marc Jones.
The Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex features a lighted, nine-lane Olympic track and seating for more than 3,000 spectators. Dedicated in October 2004, the facility has played host to the 2006 NCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Championships and numerous Illinois High School Association track and field events.

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Benedictine University is an independent Roman Catholic institution located in Lisle, Illinois just 25 miles west of Chicago. Founded in 1887, Benedictine provides 56 undergraduate majors, 16 graduate and four doctorate programs. The Chronicle of Higher Education recently ranked Benedictine University as the seventh fastest-growing campus among private nonprofit master’s universities, and Forbes magazine named Benedictine among the top 20 percent of America’s colleges for 2011. Benedictine University’s Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program is listed by Crain’s Chicago Business as the fourth largest in the Chicago area in 2011.